National Republican., 1887-02-15
AMUSEM EN- rs,
NEW NATIONAL TnHATER.

from Claudian, were only few among numcr-
Gus manifestations Of the pleasure and grati-
tude experienced by an immense audience at
the dramatic presentations of Mr.. Wilson Bar
rett and Miss EaStake last night. Washington
has fully attested Its interest In the perform.
nnces OF great English company by packing
The National Theater with more people tnan
have been assembled there for any purpose,
within the past two seasons.
The story of Clauaian is cast in Byz in.ium,
\. D., 262 and Is made nttlng exon mt OF
the long prevailing struggle between plghuism
and Christianity. The central figure is n dis.
solute, but handsome and CITED noble who
treats the populGcc after the manner OF the
Tarquins. Fascinated by the beauty OF u slave
10 be sold, he marks her for his own. She
escapes to the care of the Holy Clement, who
sacrifices his life in her deien'c. but not be-
fore he has pronounced upon Claudian the
curse OF eternal youth, coupled with a
whitening Influence which shall destroy
every object olits possessors love ptiy, or bentv-
olencc. The spell Is TO last until the rock up)n
which the city Is built shall be rent aSunder
when the aceursed one shall have the choice
ofdeath or lie.
Claudian, confronted with his fate, releases
his victim, who falls dead, and the horror
stricken oulcast, realizes the direct conss.
quence of the curse pronounced upon him.
With this catastrophe the prologue ends.
When action is resumed n hundred years
have elapsed, and the scene Is laid iu pleas.
ant vineyard, where rlistics with light hearts
go through the daily toll. The back ground
coast, and Claudian wanders amid the
rocks, tortured by the eternal melancholy
Of that Creators voice which dwells in
Tithonus he has seen the woods decay, but with
no hope of rest for Claudlan. The position Is
one of the most appalling that human mind
can contemplate and Mr.. Barrett bears himself
with the dignity which can only be attaiued
at a climax of fself.abandonment.
A peasant girl, Almida Miss Eastlakel, who
loves one Of her own class, Is drawn power.
m N
scious of his evil influence, seeks to avoid her.
The drama then hangs upon tnis detected
sympathy, so that even the blindness which
falls upon Almida, in consequence of assist
ance from the man she loves, fails to influence
her love.
The earthquake scene at end OF the second
act is masterpiece OF stHge machinery. The
strange lovers are engulfed amid sundered
rocks, put Claudian cannot die aud Almida Is
saved. The specter of the holy hermit ap'
who accepts death, and, conscious of atone
ment worked out by q century of self. eiiace-
nent, blesses the betrothal of Almida to her
peasant lover.
The lessons are obvious enough to all who
inquire, and they were enforced last night
with magnificent force and tenderness by Mr..
Barrett and Miss Eastake.
and very modest. He apologiZed for the
severe cold which impeded his efforts. and
hoped that on other occasions he might be
enabled more fully to deserve the magnificent
applause which greeted'his first appearance In
the capital city Of America.
The two artists named have fairly conquered
Washington audience. No such spontaneous
| and continued applause has been heard iu this
| city for long time as that which greeted the
| English actor and thI lady who supported hin
| last night. Mr. Barrett has taken high ground.
and hopes to keep It, and Miss Eastlakc Is an
| actress exguisitely tender and sympathetic, as
| in private fife she Is an ornament to woman
hood. The general support was good.
| ALBAUGH's GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
xs..GA -. -.
success Of lis phenomenal rpn at the Casino, in
| New York, had an ausDcious first night at
Albaugh's. good audience, listened to its
bright, catchy sparkling numbers, applauding
| frequently the cleverer bits of music aud ac.-
| ing, and smiling, laughing, roaring over the
| dash and unilagging "go' OF the bright fun of
| Great praise must he given n the setting of
| the opera, so rich in its carefully studied eff
| iects OF splendid architecture, and very pleas
| ipgin all.the least accessories of dressing and
Erminie was very satisfactorily done by Miss
| Ricci throughout, and her strong. rich voice
| seemed 10 hold the parts together. In the "Lul.
lGby" song she was heard at her best. The eu-
Hoyt has designed for 1t a dream in pink marble,
the spiral columns of Venetian style soaring
OF this superb hall the gavotte is danced by a
stage full of ladies and gentlemen, the soft
pinss and yellows and tender blues of whose
rich costumes assisted in the making of q
| beautiful picture, The comedy Of Mr.. Daboll
| and Mr.. Solomon as Ravenus and Cadaaux,
carried the delighted audience along in a
: prolonged chnckle until the curtain fell The
cast throughout is strong. and things
run easily and pleasantly. OF the chorus
singing the best bit in the opera Is the Good
night madrigal, sung without the orchestra,
and given with good effect last night. II was
repeated, as were other numbers. In effect
"Erminie'' is bright, taking melodious me-
lange of fun and music. And, by the way. it
George Derim, who was cute to degree.
DUFF's OPERA COMPANY.
Franz Won suppe's "a Trip to Africa" an
opera that had been considered a failure, for
which an insufficient cast Is largely responsi.
Brooklyn Edale says of tho opera: "A Trip to
Africa" is well written. The music is pleasing
In rhthm. graceful in melody, and skillfully
The Is % made bright and in
coterie of artists. The Comicalitles of Rylev,
the sweet tenor tones OF Hllliard the deep
bass OF Boudinot, the easy, light comedy and
well sung phrases of DUNCAN, the grace aud
| chic of Jarbeau. the rich coniralto of Seq lin,
| and the physical beauty end vocal brilliancy
| Of Lillian Russell are combined in an ensem-
BILE as delightful as 1t is artistic.
| THE JAPANESE VILLAGE.
The interest in the japanese Village enter
tainment continues undated. All are de-
| lighted and many go away only to return again
to witness the interesting work being done at
| the different booths. The skill ofthe workers
| is so " Onderfu that II instructs and peaSes at
| the same time. on yesterday the attendance
was unusually good. Much at ention was
given TO handsome vase which has lust been
| finished ana very handsomely decorated In an
| entirely novel and unique style, and which
viii be presented TO Mrs. Cleveland in a few
Village at the potter's booths.
RERSAS's wAsHINGToN TIgATER.
The performances last night At Kernan's oI
| Gus IIilrs World OF Novelties Company were
received with enthusiasm, They were numer
ladies were especially welcomed aud when
| the grapd act came, "thc leap for liio." being
| Inpid descent from dome to stage, astonlsh'
ment ruled the entire audience. Ina different
| way. not less wonderful were the feGts oi
| strength and deNterlty represented. "rWO
| Old Sports" the concluding comedy, created
| general meTrimcnt.
HARRIs's BJoU TdEAIER.
The large audience las, nigh, at the Rilou
nom Sing Sing" We iike the play, aIWIys vs.
| excepting It's title. D1mlnick Murray. who
with Edward Conan, wlo.e the drama aHteA
well his part. or parts, for he assumed six
characters, Ills changes were very Qulrk nnl
complete. Matthew Redrord, by Edward
Powell was also an admirable rendition.
German youth, PoTky Clark Charles Russell,
gave great pleasure. The ladies' Lizzie Hunt,
Mamie y. Parker and Jennie Bflghl were
delighted all who saw and heard them. The
play is ably written, and decidedly attractive,
without n single Objectionable feature.
THE DIME MUSEUM.
"Colars and CufS' hasn't anything IN II
save laughter but with that II bubbles aud
runs over No plot dlscOveTable, no particular
connection Of ideas In its scenes. broadly and
bTayely defying nature, yet such a6surdlties
spring upon Ms that he who laughs not must
either be fool or a philosopher The happy
medium between these two CLASSES governed
the house, and we were able 10 enjoy ourselves
as well as our neighbOrs. This amusing non
desoript Will run AZ the Dime two days aud
nights more. See u Whilo Won may. TIien. for